Chiefs bounce back

Times Editor

 

The Wheatland Chiefs got back to their winning ways by sweeping a home-and-home series versus the Innisfail Flyers this past weekend.

The local double-A midget team defeated the Flyers 5-1 on Jan. 20 at the Strathmore Family Centre, before posting a 7-1 win on the road Jan. 22.

According to Chiefs assistant coach Len Desmet, because of the team’s success, they have to be ready to play every game right from the start.

“We’re defending champs, plus we’re fighting for first place, so every team coming in here is going to be gunning for us,” said Desmet. “We can’t afford to take a night off.

“From here on in, we have to be prepared for every game because we have provincials and playoffs not that far around the corner. You can’t take a night off because all the teams are pretty even.

“If we keep things simple, we’re a pretty good hockey team.”

The Chiefs then ignited their offence in Innisfail by scoring three goals in a span of 2:43 midway through the first period.

After the Flyers pulled closer with a goal of their own, the Chiefs responded with another four goals in the victory. 

Despite the offence firing on all cylinders, Desmet would like to see the Chiefs improve with the man advantage.

“I think we have to work on our power play a little bit,” explained Desmet. “We’re trying to be too fancy – sometimes you don’t need to be fancy … if you keep it simple good things happen.

“Too many cross-ice passes (when you need to) get it to the point and get some traffic in front.

“We’re capable of lighting it up when we need to.”

The Chiefs are now preparing for a pair of road games this weekend before returning home to host the Brooks Storm on Jan. 29 (7 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Meanwhile, the Wheatland Braves extended their winning streak to three games by defeating the Foothills Bisons 6-2 on Jan. 21 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

The local double-A peewee team has out-scored their opposition 18-5 during their streak, as they head to Red Deer to battle with the TBS on Jan. 28 (12:45 p.m.).

However, lucky was not on the side of the Wheatland Warriors this past weekend. The double-A bantam team was defeated 4-2 in Hussar to Bow Valley on Jan. 20, before losing 6-0 to Cranbrook the following day.

The Warriors will look to get back in the win column when they host the Lacombe Rockets Jan. 28 (5 p.m.) and the Cranbrook Ice Jan. 29 (4:15 p.m.).